Inventory of the J. Benjamin Smith papers, 1965-1988

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Descriptive Summary

Repository

University Archives, Duke University

Creator

Smith, J. Benjamin, Jr.

Title

J. Benjamin Smith papers, 1965-1988

Language of Material

Material in English

Extent

1.3 Linear Feet

75 Items

Abstract

J. Benjamin Smith was Duke Choral Director from 1968-1988.

The collection includes clippings, black and white group photographs, correspondence, sheet music notebooks, "Fontainebleau Alumni Bulletin," and Smith's conductor's baton. The collection ranges in date from 1965-1988.

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Administrative Information

Access Restrictions

Patrons must sign the Acknowledgement of Legal Responsibility and Privacy Rights form before using this collection.

Collection is open for research.

Copyright Notice

Copyright for Official University records is held by Duke University; all other copyright is retained by the authors of items in these papers, or their descendants, as stipulated by United States copyright law.

Preferred Citation

[Identification of item], J. Benjamin Smith papers, University Archives, Duke University.

Provenance

The J. Benjamin Smith papers were received by the University Archives as a gift in 1990.

Processing Information

Processed by Kimberly Sims, November 2006

Encoded by Kimberly Sims, December 2006

Accession A90-67 is described in this finding aid.

Descriptive sources and standards used to create this inventory: DACS, EAD, NCEAD guidelines, and our local Style Guide.

This finding aid is NCEAD compliant.

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Biographical Note

J. Benjamin Smith was born in Nashville, TN and earned a bachelor's degree in piano from the University of Kentucky. He earned a master's degree in sacred music from Union Theological Seminary in New York. He studied privately with the late Nadia Boulanger, an internationally known teacher of organ, composition, theory and conducting. A talented organist, he served at Duke as Director of the Chapel Choir for 20 years. He came to Duke in 1968 and retired in 1988. He led the Men's and Women's Glee Clubs (later merged into the Duke Chorale) and was an assistant professor in the music department. He died on March 21, 1989 at the age of 58.

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Collection Overview

Collection includes clippings, black and white group photographs, correspondence, sheet music notebooks, "Fontainebleau Alumni Bulletin," and Smith's conductor's baton. The collection ranges in date from 1965-1988.

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Subject Headings

These are searchable subject entries for this collection. Performing a search on these subjects in the Duke University Libraries online catalog will bring up other related research materials.

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